Brian Cashman has had better days. His $180 million first baseman is likely headed for surgery on his wrist that will end his season and cast his long-term future in doubt. His $300 million third baseman tweeted that he's ready to return from his own injury woes, which you’d think would be good news.

But, this being Alex Rodriguez, his “announcement” that he had been cleared to start playing games was not one the Yankees had any intention of making for the foreseeable future. Cashman was not pleased.

“Alex should just the (hell) up,” is what a furious Cashman told ESPN New York. “That’s it. I’m going to call Alex now.”

So no, this was not a good time to tell the GM that he might want to take a day trip out of the city, but he really should get down the Turnpike to Trenton soon, assuming Michael Pineda stays long enough to make another couple starts.

Because, at long last, the big right-hander looks poised to fulfill the promise that made Cashman trade for him January 2012 – and that, more than anything, might be the best news this team can get this summer.

“I’m ready,” Pineda said in a small locker room under Arm & Hammer Stadium, where every fan received a free bottle of laundry detergent and a glimpse into the Yankees' future. “I’m very happy – my velocity is coming back.”

Pineda pitched six clean innings for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, allowing just two singles and two walks on 78 pitches. He struck out four batters and topped out at 95 mph on the stadium radar gun.

Even if that reading was generous – and one scout with his own gun said it was close to accurate – Pineda had impressive command with his off-speed pitches. Velocity and control is what Trenton manager Tony Franklin had hope to see, and Pineda didn’t disappoint.

The Yankees have no intention of rushing him to the Bronx, and after missing all of 2012 following major shoulder surgery, it’s hard to argue with that decision. Still, he’ll be there sometime after the All-Star Break, and in an always tightening AL East race, he might be the difference maker.

A game or two likely will decide this division title. Adding a healthy Pineda to the rotation and sending a struggling Phil Hughes to the bullpen could matter more than the return of any position player, including the diminished A-Rod or even shortstop Derek Jeter.

If Pineda can pitch like he did early in his rookie season with the Mariners, he’d join CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte to make the kind of rotation that can make up for a lot of offensive woes. And, clearly, the Yankees are going to have their share the rest of the way.

“I’m very excited to pitch in Yankee Stadium,” Pineda said. “I’ve never pitched there before. I’m working every day to be ready.”

When will that happened? He didn’t know. “I don’t have control over that situation,” he said.

Pineda was already supposed to be there, anchoring the rotation behind Sabathia. Then he showed up overweight for his first spring training with his new team, his fastball hovering in the pedestrian 90-91 mph range. Something was wrong, but the Yankees had no idea how bad.

His shoulder was shot.

“I’m devastated,” Cashman said then. He had traded away Jesus Montero, who he believed was a future star, for a 23-year-old pitcher he’d hoped was a young Sabathia.

Maybe he’ll never reach that level, but at least he is progressing toward the start of his Yankees career. Cashman, meanwhile, has to wonder if Mark Teixeira is on the downside of his.

His numbers already were in a steep decline before this injury, and with four years and $90 million left, his contract is starting to look like another albatross on that tightening Yankee payroll.

Hank Steinbrenner is forever the fall guy for the A-Rod deal, the worst contract in pro sports history. Cashman will have no one to blame, if Teixeira can't return next season to his All-Star form, for this one but himself.

For now, the Yankees will have to get by with Red Sox castoff Lyle Overbay at first base and hope the unexpected -- like the Ichiro Suzuki walk-off home run against the Rangers on Tuesday -- will continue to be routine. The formula has worked so far, thanks mostly to Robinson Cano and strong pitching.

Pineda would bolster the latter. He looked ready on Tuesday, but he was pitching for a team that might be best known for its bat-fetching golden retriever. He needs to prove it in the Bronx, and soon, he'll get that chance.